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Climate change knowledge, concerns, and behaviors among Caribbean fishers

Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences volume 8, pages 51–62 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

The Caribbean, as a collection of Small Island Developing States, has been a hotspot for climate change research. Many studies have examined the consequences of climate change. However, few studies have examined the ways in which marginalized groups in the Caribbean view climate change. What are the levels of knowledge, concerns, and behavioral practices among marginalized groups in the Caribbean? This paper begins to explore this question using Caribbean fishers as a case study. The survey study of 241 fishers is done in one of the largest fish-landing sites in Jamaica. Fishers are asked about levels of knowledge about causes of climate change, concerns and the consequences, and actual adaptation behaviors. Using descriptive and inferential statistical tests, the paper explores the actual levels of knowledge, concerns, and specific strategies used to adapt. However, its goes further by examining the factors that drive the aforementioned variables. This study begins to not only contribute to the environmental psychological literature on the Caribbean, but it also helps to better understand ways in which marginalized communities might be assisted in the adaptation to climate change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA

    April Karen Baptiste

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  1. April Karen Baptiste
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Correspondence to April Karen Baptiste.

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Baptiste, A.K. Climate change knowledge, concerns, and behaviors among Caribbean fishers. J Environ Stud Sci 8, 51–62 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-017-0434-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-017-0434-9

Keywords

  • Climate change
  • Caribbean
  • Environmental psychology
  • Knowledge
  • Concerns
  • Behaviors